Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a superhero therapy that combines simple exercises and techniques to help kids with everything from their speech to their eating habits to their behavior.

But how do you know if your child could benefit from this therapy? What exactly is OMT? What does a session look like? In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, learn more about Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, or OMT, from special guest Dr. Marielly Michell.

Dr. Mitchell’s innovative approach to OT centered on orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) combines principles of cranial nerve integration, sensory processing, and motor function, allowing her to address neurological and airway dysfunction in infants and children that impact behavior.

She is the founder of Theraplay LA, the first pediatric therapy center to offer comprehensive services that include sleep monitoring in conjunction with virtual and in-clinic occupational, physical, and speech therapy services specializing in sensory processing, motor skills, feeding and swallowing disorders, OMT, nutritional support, and sleep training.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

• Thriving with ADHD Book - adhdthriveinstitute.com/book
• Grab Your Sleep Disordered Breathing Screener Here - https://www.theraplayla.com/freebies-for-parents

Key Takeaways:
[3:58] How OMT can help children with ADHD
[8:58] Signs a child might need OMT
[14:06] At-home exercises parents can do with their children
[18:51] What parents can expect when working with an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
[24:54] Success stories of kids who have been through OMT
[30:10] Where to find Dr. Marielly online

Memorable Moments:
"Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (which we will refer to as OMT)focuses on…the position of the tongue and where that person puts their tongue. And ideally, everyone should be placing their tongue suctioned to the roof of their mouth behind their 2 front teeth, with their lips sealed and breathing through their nose without tension in their jaw.”

”If your child has a low oral rest posture…basically mouth breathing, then that automatically puts them into a state of fight or flight.”

”When a child is mouth breathing for a long period of time, it will deactivate that area of the brain, and so myofunctional therapy really focuses on facilitating a closed mouth posture and activating the nasal passages and making sure that the person reaches a more ‘rest and digest’ or parasympathetic state.”

”Breathing and sleeping really take a huge toll, and it’s really an abstract silent epidemic that we’re in with this.”

”A really good tip is to always do these exercises in front of a mirror with them so they can get some visual feedback.”

”We’re in a silent epidemic of this.”

How to Connect with Dr. Marielly Mitchell

• Website: http://www.doctormarielly.com
• Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/doctormarielly

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• https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
• https://dana-kay.com/

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📕INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:

• Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/

💻FREE MASTERCLASS

• Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl

⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS

• ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
• ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
• Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY

In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay, a board-certified holistic health and nutrition practitioner, tackles some of the most common myths about ADHD. In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, Dana debunks misconceptions about diet, exercise, parenting, gender, and treatment options, providing parents with responses they can use when someone voices one of the common ADHD myths. Whether you're new to ADHD or a seasoned advocate, this episode offers valuable tools to navigate conversations and better support children with ADHD.

Link Mentioned in the Show:

• Additional Episodes on Diet Changes for Kids with ADHD - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-5/ https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-6/
• Free Breakfast Guide - http://adhdthriveinstitute.com/breakfastguide

Key Takeaways:
[02:40] Myth 1: Diet Changes Don't Affect ADHD
[06:29] Myth 2: Exercise Is Just a Distraction
[08:40] Myth 3: ADHD Is a Result of Bad Parenting
[11:23] Myth 4: Children with ADHD Are Just Lazy
[14:17] Myth 5: ADHD Only Affects Boys
[18:06] Myth 6: ADHD Will Be Outgrown
[19:59] Myth 7: Medication Is the Only Treatment
[22:07] Myth 8: ADHD Isn’t a Real Medical Condition
[23:57] Myth 9: People with ADHD Can't Focus on Anything
[26:09] Myth 10: ADHD Is Only a Problem in the Classroom

Memorable Moments:
"ADHD isn’t the result of bad parenting—it’s a neurological condition influenced by genetics and environment."

"Diet alone isn't a magical cure for ADHD, but it’s an incredibly potent tool in managing symptoms."

"Exercise is not just a distraction; it’s a powerful natural way to support brain health in kids with ADHD."

"Girls with ADHD often go undiagnosed because their symptoms are less overt than boys’."

"You don’t 'outgrow' ADHD—it’s a lifelong condition that requires ongoing management."

"Medication is one option for ADHD, but it’s not the only one. There are effective natural alternatives."

"ADHD is a real, medically recognized condition, not a reflection of parenting skills."

"Hyperfocus in ADHD can lead to intense concentration on activities of interest, but it comes with its challenges."

"ADHD affects all aspects of life, not just academics—from social interactions to long-term career prospects."

"Understanding the realities of ADHD is key to supporting our kids in the best way possible."

🔗WEBSITES:

• https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
• https://dana-kay.com/

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• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute

📕INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:

• Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/

💻FREE MASTERCLASS

• Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl

⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS

• ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
• ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
• Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY

“The way the water tastes tells you nothing about the potential health effects of drinking water.” This quote from Johnny Pujol is eye-opening.

Is it possible that your drinking water is making you - or your child - sick? In this week’s episode of the Soaring Child podcast, find out why it’s so important to have your home’s drinking water tested.

Johnny Pujol is the CEO of Tap Score and Simple Lab, the leading solution for environmental sampling services and laboratory testing. Johnny earned a Master's in Engineering from UC Berkeley and a bachelor's in Economics from Boston University. His vision is to simplify procurement of environmental sampling and testing services—enabling better decision making for the environment and your personal health.

Link Mentioned in the Show:

• Our Supplement Store - http://adhdthriveinstitute.com/supplements
• Get your water tested here - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1561446&u=3706301&m=98527&urllink=&afftrack=

Key Takeaways:

[9:04] Common contaminants found in drinking water
[12:40] How often contaminants are typically found in drinking water
[18:28] The importance of testing water, especially for heavy metals
[21:57] Practical steps parents can take to ensure their children are drinking safe water
[28:39] Steps for ensuring safe water
[31:29] Where to find Johnny online

Memorable Moments:

"Copper is necessary in small amounts, but when you have excessive levels, they can cause so many symptoms that closely mimic ADHD."

"The transformation was remarkable. Those intense symptoms actually began to subside, and their child started to thrive."

"Water is essential for every function in our body; it's clear that the quality of water we consume is of utmost importance."

"We learned firsthand that the way the water tastes tells you nothing about the health effects."

"There are endless chemicals in our environment, and when looking at the ones that impact us through tap water, it's important to know if they are harmful."

"Most people don’t realize that contaminants like lead, arsenic, and PFAs can be present in drinking water without any taste or smell."

"If you do find contaminants in your water, it doesn't need to be like ‘Oh my gosh, the world's going to end,' but it’s very controllable."

"Run your tap water in the morning for a couple of minutes, and you'll get fresher water that has spent less time in contact with your home's plumbing."

"About 30 to 35% of our water tests come back with a result indicating something you might want to address."

"You cannot make decisions about your water quality unless you first test it."

How to Connect with Johnny Pujol

• Website: https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1561446&u=3706301&m=98527&urllink=&afftrack=
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytapscore/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mytapscore

🔗WEBSITES:

• https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
• https://dana-kay.com/

👋SOCIALS:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute

📕INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:

• Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/

💻FREE MASTERCLASS

• Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl

⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS

• ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
• ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
• Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY